A complete blood count will also assess whether red blood cell counts are low. In addition, a CBC will measure whether an individual’s platelet level is low (thrombocytopenia), indicating that either the bone marrow is not making enough platelets or that antibodies are attacking them. For example, both lupus and prednisone tend to lower an individual’s lymphocyte count. The white blood cell differential will measure whether these cells are present in your body in normal proportions, revealing information about certain deficiencies in your immune system. Each group of white blood cells plays a different role in the immune response. There are five types of white blood cells: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Usually, your doctor will request that your white blood cell differential is also assessed as a part of your CBC. High WBC counts may signal infection but also occur when individuals are on corticosteroids such as prednisone. White blood cell counts can be low (leukopenia) due to lupus, immunosuppressive therapy, or the presence of a virus. Many people with systemic lupus have abnormal CBCs. and is used to analyze red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. A complete blood count (CBC) is the most commonly performed lab test in the U.S.
